Town Doubling Size of Senior Center

Mount Pleasant is planning a $1.6 million expansion of the Thomasena Stokes-Marshall Senior Center.

Town council last week signaled support for the plan, which will double the   Von Kolnitz Road facility to nearly 15,000 square feet.

The construction will double an often-crowded workout room with various cardio equipment to 2,400 square feet. The center will also get an additional three multi-purpose rooms.

Following the council's action last week, the builders will bid on the expansion in June and a contract could be let by July. The building could be finished as soon as May 2013, if all goes to plan.

The facility is plagued by long lines. Originally constructed for roughly 400 daily users, the facility often sees some 2,000 or more seniors.

Also last week, the town approved a rate increase for senior center membership. Yearly memberships will go from $73 currently to $100 annually in the next fiscal year. Non-resident fees have been doubled to $200 under the new rates.

The increases are not meant to cover the expansion, rather the $68,000 in additional revenue will be used to offset operation costs associated with the facility.

Pool membership fees will also see a big increase next year. Currently, residents pay $2 per year for pool access. The council has approved a new rate of $25 next year.